Ben Myers, Retirement Living Council, to speak at Health Metrics World Conference.

Tuesday 29 August, 2017

Health Metrics is pleased to announce Ben Myers – Executive Director Retirement Living Council – will be joining the line up of speakers at the upcoming Health Metrics World Conference, 21st and 22nd September, Crown Melbourne.

Ben Myers, Executive Director, Retirement Living Council

The Retirement Living Council plays a critical role in the ongoing growth and sustainability of the retirement living industry.

It is the only national organisation solely focused on advocating on the critical issues facing housing and services for older people, supporting and promoting members and the retirement living industry at large.

Ben Myers will speak on the recently launched action plan, developed in conjunction with retirement village resident association leaders, to deliver higher standards, clearer and simpler information about costs and contracts, and an independent umpire to resolve disputes.

The 8-point plan is designed to lead to greater transparency and higher standards across the industry.

Mr Myers says the action plan will form the basis of future discussions with politicians and regulators about enhancing the industry.

“We know from independent surveys and resident feedback that the clear majority of village residents are enjoying the retirement village lifestyle and the advantages it provides,” Mr Myers said.

“But there are improvements that operators in the industry need to make, to ensure residents have complete certainty about their contract, including what they’re paying for and when they’re paying it.

“Together with resident representatives we have identified some key issues for action, and we are commencing the work on these straight away.

“I look forward to discussing these issues in greater detail at the Health Metrics Conference. The action plan we are implementing will better equip operators to continue to improve, and help correct misconceptions that have occurred recently.”

Industry 8-point improvement plan

Support nationally consistent retirement village legislation and contracts.

Ensure there are transparent and easy-to-understand descriptions in contracts of entry pricing, ongoing service fees, reinstatement costs and fees and payments relating to departure, so residents have certainty about the costs associated with living in a retirement village.

Encourage all potential residents to seek independent legal advice before signing a contract, and work together with government and the legal profession to make this happen. We will also encourage potential residents to share this information with family members and trusted advisers.

Improve training and professional support for village managers, sales people and other staff who engage directly with current and potential residents.

Commit to improve industry village accreditation standards and coverage, and support government initiatives to make accreditation a mandatory requirement for operating a village.

Commit to working with the Australian Retirement Village Residents Association to implement an industry Code of Conduct to set and maintain high standards about the marketing and operation of villages, as well as dispute management procedures for all operators and residents.

Commit to the establishment of an efficient and cost-effective government-backed independent dispute resolution process, such as an Ombudsman or Advocate, for disputes that are unable to be solved at a village level.

Maintain and strengthen the relationship between industry and the Australian Retirement Village Residents Association to make sure resident issues are clearly identified and addressed.